How to Update Your iPhone 6s to the Latest iOS 15 Version

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Learn the ins and outs of updating your iPhone 6s to iOS 15 – plus, whether you can use a later version

Written by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: March 12, 2025 Fact Checked

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Updating to iOS 15

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Later Versions of iOS: Is iPhone 6s Compatible?

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iOS 15 brought all sorts of new enhancements for the iPhone, including Focus Mode, Visual Look Up for your photos, redesigned notifications, and much more. If you're using an iPhone 6s, it's super easy to update your phone to the iOS 15. This wikiHow article will teach you how to update your iPhone 6s to the latest compatible software. We’ll also answer your questions about which iPhone models are compatible with iOS 15 and later.

What to Know about the iPhone 6s and iOS 15

To update your iPhone 6s to the latest version of iOS 15, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install or download the update.
iOS 15 is the latest operating system available for the iPhone 6s. You won’t be able to update to iOS 16 or later.

Section 1 of 2:

Updating to iOS 15

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1
Back up your iPhone. Before updating your iPhone, it's always a good idea to back up your important files to iCloud or your computer.^{[1]
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- If your iPhone is not connected to a power source, such as a wall outlet or your computer, connect it to one now.
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi.^{[2]
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It's the gray gear icon that you'll find on your Home screen, in your App Library, or by searching for settings.

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This is the first option in the third group of settings.
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Tap Software Update. You'll find this near the top of the General menu.
- If you see a message that says your iPhone is already up to date with the latest version of iOS 14, just scroll down to the bottom—you'll find the iOS 15 option there.^{[3]
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Tap Upgrade to iOS 15. This displays some information about the latest version of iOS.
- Depending on when you're updating your iPhone, you may see more than one available update—one for the latest version of iOS 14, and another for updating to iOS 15.^{[4]
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  Research source} If you do, make sure you're choosing the iOS 15 update.
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Tap Install Now or Download and Install. If your iPhone is set up to download updates automatically, you'll see the Install Now option—tap it to install iOS 15. If not, tap Download and Install to download the update. You may be prompted to enter your passcode. Once the download is complete, tap Install Now to start the installation.
- The download and installation can both take some time—anywhere from a few minutes to about a half hour, depending on the speed of your connection.
- Your iPhone will restart once the installation is complete.
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Try a manual update if you can’t do it from your phone. If you don’t see an option to update your iPhone wirelessly, you can try updating it manually using a computer.^{[5]
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- If you have a Mac running macOS Catalina or later:^{[6]
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  - Plug your iPhone into your Mac. You may see a prompt on your phone screen asking you to trust your computer before you can connect.
  - Open a Finder window and click on your iPhone’s name in the left-hand sidebar.
  - Click the General tab near the top of the window.
  - Click Check for Update. If an update is available, click Download and Update. Follow the prompts to complete the process.
- If you have a PC or a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier:
  - Open iTunes on your computer.
  - Plug your iPhone into your computer. If prompted, tell your iPhone to trust your computer.
  - Click your phone’s name in the toolbar on the left side of the iTunes window.
  - Click the Summary tab on the left side of your screen, then click Check for Update. If an update is available, click Download and Update. Follow the prompts onscreen to complete the update process.

Section 2 of 2:

Later Versions of iOS: Is iPhone 6s Compatible?

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You can’t install anything after iOS 15.5. If you have an iPhone 6s, iOS 15.5 is the latest version of iOS you’ll be able to download and install. The iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and all later models up through iPhone 13 Pro Max are compatible with iOS 15.5.^{[7]
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- You can double-check your iPhone model and current iOS version by going to Settings > General > About.
If you have another model of iPhone and you’re curious about whether it supports the latest version of iOS, you can find out here. Use the dropdown menu at the top left side of the page to select the version of iOS you’re interested in.

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Tips

If you have an Apple Watch, your watch will prompt you to update to watchOS 8 once the iOS 15 update is complete.

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If you want updates to install automatically in the future, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates and then toggle the "Install iOS Updates" switch to On.

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